Hypoglycemia Fear and Self-efficacy of Turkish Patients Receiving Insulin Therapy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine hypoglycemia fear and self-efficacy levels of patients receiving insulin and the factors affecting these levels. Method: In total, 345 diabetic patients who met the inclusion criteria participated in this descriptive, correlational study. Patients were invited to participate in the study during their regular visits to the diabetes outpatient clinic of Istanbul University, Istanbul Medicine Faculty. Data were collected using a patient-information form as well as the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey and Confidence in Diabetes Self-care Scale. Results: It was found that patients who had type 1 diabetes, received intensive insulin therapy and experienced more frequent and severe hypoglycemia had more hypoglycemia worry and fear. It was also determined that patients who had type 1 diabetes and received intensive insulin therapy had higher self-efficacy levels than patients who had type 2 diabetes and received conventional therapy. Conclusion: The effects of experiences of frequent and severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes emphasize the need for programs that support diabetes-specific self-efficacy and also guide and teach hypoglycemia prevention. Copyright (C) 2011, Korean Society of Nursing Science. Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved.